Two hundred and twenty people from 18 countries attended in Hanoi on 8 to 9 September the 7th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba.

An audience was given them following the Conference by the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Trương Tấn Sang.

The participants came from Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Cuba, DPR Korea, India, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United States and Vietnam.

Co-sponsoring the Conference were the Vietram Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP). The Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association, the Vietnam Committee for Asian-African-Latin American Solidarity and Cooperation, and other Vietnamese people’s organizations contributed to the preparation and holding of the event.

The Conference adopted a Hanoi Declaration, the full text of which follows:

“Two hundred and twenty delegates representing_18 countries gathered in Hanoi, Vietnam, on the occasion of the VII Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba on September 8th - 9th 2015, based on the ideals of sovereignty, independence and justice that characterize the Cuban Revolution, are aware that defending Cuba will keep alive the hope of a better world that is possible. We:

-strongly reject all acts and measures contrary to international law as the illegal economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by the government of the United States for more than five decades. We support the Cuban people and demand the immediate lifting of the inhuman blockade.

-recognize the historic significance of the announcement by Cuban President Raul Castro and US President Barack Obama on the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States, and the reopening of embassies in the capitals of the two countries. All of these are the result of resistance of the Cuban people and their heroic struggle and loyalty to the spirit and principles of their Revolution, as well as international solidarity with Cuba of fair-minded individuals, solidarity organizations, political groups and countries in Latin America, Asia-Pacific and other regions throughout the world.

-recognize the decisions taken so far by the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, to exclude Cuba from the list of state sponsors of international terrorism where Cuba should never have been included.

-demand to return to the Cuban people the territory of Guantanamo Naval Base, illegally occupied by the US in flagrant violation of Cuban sovereignty. Located at the eastern part of Cuba, it is still being used as a prison and torture center.

- reaffirm our commitment to continue spreading the truth about Cuban realities, the process of updating the economic and social model and their socialist Revolution, using all discussion spaces available, including the media and alternative sources and to counter the manipulated and negative information about Cuba. Each disinformation campaign against Cuba should be matched with a response by the international solidarity movement and especially by friends of Cuba from the Asia-Pacific region.

-defend the right of the Cuban people to full independence, sovereignty, self-determination and non-interference in their internal affairs.

-will continue working for the strengthening and expansion of the solidarity movement with Cuba in each of our countries and fighting for truth, keeping unity as an essential value of our work.

-reaffirm our commitment to continue working for a world of peace, stability, solidarity, cooperation and prosperity. All nations are entitled to equal rights. Disputes should be resolved peacefully on the basis of the United Nations Charter, conventions and resolutions without coercion.

-welcome the release of the heroic Cuban Five and are delighted to embrace and discuss with one of them, Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez, for whose freedom all of us and organizations of solidarity with Cuba worldwide have fought for many years.

Participants in the VII Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba salute the 70th anniversary of the Proclamation of Vietnam’s Independence and the 55th anniversary of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).

Especially we congratulate and deeply thank the Government and Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association for the warm hospitality and excellent organization of the VII Regional Conference. We want to express our firm solidarity with the people of Vietnam in their struggle in defense of their national independence and sovereignty and for a peaceful and stable regional environment to build a more prosperous and beautiful country.

Delegates to the VII Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba from: Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Cuba, DPR Korea, India, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United States and Vietnam.